[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 161 (Thursday, September 17, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E857-E858]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO SENATOR JOHN W. MATTHEWS, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 17, 2020

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a dear 
friend and a true public servant. Senator John Wesley Matthews, Jr. is 
retiring after 46 years of service in the South Carolina State 
Legislature. He is renowned for his commitment to education and job 
creation especially in Berkeley, Calhoun, Colleton, Dorchester and 
Orangeburg counties, which he proudly serves. His leadership and 
tireless dedication will truly be missed.
  John, a son of South Carolina, was born to Reverend John Wesley, Sr. 
and Victoria Williams Matthews. He is a graduate of South Carolina 
State College (now University), Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, 
and Lincoln Electrical Institute.
  John began his career as a public-school teacher and rose to become a 
school principal. He was also a small business owner. These experiences 
led him to seek elective office and he ran for the South Carolina State 
House. He served as a State Representative from 1975 to 1984, when he 
ran for the State Senate. He has held the Senate District No. 39 seat 
since 1985.
  While in the Senate, John served as a member of the Senate Education, 
Finance, Banking & Insurance Committee, the Agriculture & Natural 
Resources Committee, and the Ethics and Interstate Cooperation 
Committee. He currently serves as the Assistant Minority Leader in the 
State Senate and as Chairman of the Orangeburg County Legislative 
Delegation. He has previously served as Chairman of the South Carolina 
Legislative Black Caucus and as a member of the Southern Regional 
Education Board, the Education Oversight Committee, a member of the 
2016 Democratic National Platform Committee and a member of the 
Governor's Middle Grades Task Force.
  In 2004, I was proud to be on hand, when the Orangeburg County 
Council named a 500-acre site at the intersections of U.S. Highways 301 
and 176 the John W. Matthews Industrial Park. Our alma mater, South 
Carolina State also honored John in 2006 with the naming of the John W. 
Matthews, Jr. 1890 Extension Building. Last year, the South Carolina 
Senate unveiled a portrait of their colleague, currently the longest 
serving South Carolina State legislator. The portrait hangs in the 
Chamber. These honors are richly deserved and represent the impact that 
John has had on his native state.
  In addition to his service in the General Assembly, John has served 
his community in many other capacities. He has served as a member of 
the South Carolina Education Association, the Orangeburg County 
Education Association, the Clemson University Board of Visitors, the 
Medical University of South Carolina Board of Trustees, the Winthrop 
Board of Visitors, the Human Affairs Commission Board of Trustees, the 
Voorhees College Board of Trustees, and the Claflin University Capital 
Campaign Steering Committee.
  John has received numerous awards over the years including induction 
into the South Carolina Black Hall of Fame and being named Minority 
Business Advocate of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration 
and South Carolina Primary Health Care Legislator of the Year. He is 
also a recipient of the South Carolina Independent Colleges & 
Universities Legislative Champion Award, the Wilkins Legislative 
Leadership Award, the Ernest Finney Chairmen's Award, the Orangeburg 
Chapter NAACP Exceptional Legislative Service Award, the Congressman 
Clyburn and Congressman John Spratt Public Service Award, the SC 
Alliance for Mobile Infrastructure Elected Official of the Year Award 
and the National Trends and Services Award of the Orangeburg Chapter of 
the Links, Inc.
  He has received honorary doctorates from South Carolina State 
University, the College of Charleston and the Medical University of 
South Carolina.
  John was married to the late Geraldine Hillard Matthews, and the 
couple had five children. He attends Pineville United Methodist Church 
and is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in 
celebrating the tremendous service John W. Matthews has provided to the 
State of South Carolina. He embodies the true definition of a servant 
leader, and his longevity in the South Carolina General Assembly has 
left a lasting mark on the State and its citizens. We are all better 
for his service, and I know he will continue to serve his community for 
years to come.

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